Door latch



Febn 6, 1940. F c, SCHQCH v u 2,189,227

DOOR LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j?? Jen for, f'ec/ (T5650 Filed Feb. 28, 1938 Patented F eb. 6, 1940 i UNITED STATES DOOR LATCH Fred C. Schoch, Oak Park, I ll. Application February 28,1938, Serial No. 193,012

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in socalled flush type outer door handles, particularly adaptable for automobiles, buses, trucks, trailers and other vehicles, and refers particularly to a handle which may be retracted to a flush position with the outer surface of the door, by manipulating means carried upon the inside surface of the door.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

Fig. 1 is a.front view of'my improved handle unit lwhich may be mounted in a door.

Fig. 2 lis top plan view.of the unit installed in a door, portions of the door being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view of the unit in a door.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan section illustrating the handle in extended position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I indicates a metallic plate which at one end thereof is bent at right angles to form a ange 2. An aperture is provided in substantially the central portion of the flange 2 through which a keeper-engaging end 3 of a latch bolt extends. A handle 4 is appropriately curved to pass through an arcuate slot 5 provided in the plate I, the lower portion of the handle being pivotally secured, as at E, to the said plate. As will be hereinafter more fully described, the handle 4 comprises the inner handle of the unit and is adapted to retract the keeper-engaging end of the latch bolt. 'I'he plate I is substantially symmetrical and is provided with an arcuate curved slot l which maybe utilized upon doors which open in the opposite direction to that herein described. When the slot I is used, the handle 4 will be pivoted in the opening 8. Appropriately spaced holes 9 are provided in the plate I whereby said plate may be mounted in a door I0.

A housing II is mounted upon plate I and is provided with a plurality of lugs or tongues I2 which extend through suitably positioned apertures in plate I, the lugs being bent after the same are inserted through said openings. A cylindrical collar I3 is mounted upon the housing II which carries at` its end an escutcheon plate I4. 'Ihe plate I4 is provided with an elongated depression I5 in which a handle I6, the outer handle, is adapted to be disposed when said handle is in iiush position with the outer wall I'I of the door. The escutcheon plate also carries a lock barrel I8 which, as will be hereinafter fully described, is employed in projecting the handle I6 to the position'shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The plate I is provided with a circular aperture I9 (Fig. 4) through which a cup-like collar 20 extends. A tubular member 2I is secured at one end to the handle I6, the opposite end of said tubular stem extending into the cup-like member 20 when the outer handle is in retracted position. A bar 22 of rectangular cross-section is slidably positioned within the tubular stem 2 I. However, by means of web 23 formed on the inner surface of the tubular stem 2l, relative rotary motion of the tubular stem with respect to bar 22 is prevented, the opening in the web 23 through which the bar 22 extends being of similar cross-section to that of bar 22. A coil spring 24 embraces bar 22 and is confined between the cup-like member 20 and the Web 23, said spring being compressed when the handle I6 is in retracted position.

A knob 25 is rigidly secured to the end of bar 22 which projects exteriorly ofthe cup-like member 20. A coil spring 26 embraces bar 22 and is confined between web 23 and an outwardly extending flange 2l carried at the opposite end of bar 22.

The keeper-engaging end 3 of the latch bolt secured toa plate 28 which comprises a portion of the latch bolt proper. The end 3 may be secured to the plate 28 by rivets 29 or the like, or may be formed integral with the plate 28.

The plate 28 extends through an open end of housing II and is provided with an oval aperture 29 through which the tubular stem 2I extends.`

A pair of lugs 30 and 3l are bent at right angles to the surface of plate 28 and are adapted to slide of plate I; the cup-like member 20 being rotated 'I'he cup-like member 20 by means of the bar 22 when handle I6 is rotated.

Normally, that is, when the end 3 of the latch bolt engages in the keeper 35 provided in the wall 36 adjacent the door I0, both arms 34 are in a` flush position with respect to the lugs 30 and 3| carried by the plate 28. When the handle I6 is rotated, arms 34 are rotated and consequently bear upon either lug 30 or 3| depending upon the direction of rotation of the handle I6. Coil springs 31 are coniined between lugs 30 and 3| and the opposite end of the housing I I and thus resiliently resist motion of the latch bolt. Hence, when handle I6 is rotated thereby retracting the latch bolt, said movement takes place against the impelling force of springs 31 and when the force of rotation is released, said springs return the plate 28 to normal position, that is, the position wherein the end 3 extends from the end of the door.

An annular groove 38' is provided in the outer surface of the tubular stem 2| intermediate its length. A latch 38 is slidably positioned between the inner face of the housing I I and the plate 28. The latch 38 is provided with a central aperture 39 through which lug 32 projects. A lug 40 is ,struck up from the surface of latch 38 and acoil spring 4I is coniined ybetween lug 40 and the end wall of the housing I I, said spring normally urging the latch 38 toward the tubular stem 2I. The latch 38 is also provided with an opening 42 into which a pin 43 projects, said pin being eccentrically mounted upon the end of a cylindrical drum 44. A stub shaft 45 projects through plate I and extends to the inner surface of door I0, a

lever 46 being mounted upon the end of the shaft 45. By rotating the lever 46, pin 43 acts against an inner defining edge of the aperture 42 and moves the latch 38 away from the tubular stem 2 I. By rotating the lever 46 through an angle of approximately 180, said pin is brought to its dead center position and thereby holds latch 38 against the force of spring 4|. The end of the tubular stem 2| is tapered as shown at 41 in Fig. 4. When the handle I6 and tubular stem 2| are in the position shown in Fig. 6 and the pin 43 is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the handle may be pushed inwardly against the tension of spring 24. When the tapered end 41 of the tubular stem 2| contacts the end of the latch 38, the latter rides upon the outer surface of the tubular stem until said latch engages in the annular groove 38'. Spring 4I causes such engagement to take place since it urges the latch 38 toward the tubular stern 2|. It can readily be seen that in this position the tubular stem 2I will be retained against the impelling force of spring 24 and handle I8 will be disposed in the slot I5, thatis, said handle will bein a flush position with respect to the outer surface I1 of thel door I0. Obviously when the handle is in this position the latch bolt cannot be retracted.

Adjacent the end of the latch 38, two cut-away portions 48 are provided. A pair of oppositely disposed pins 49 project into the cut-away portions 48, said pins being carried by the barrel 50 of the lock I8. A key 5I is insertable in the keyhole 52 of the lock I8 whereby the barrel 5D may be rotated. Upon rotation of the barrel 58 the pins 49 contactthe projecting ends 53 of the latch 38 whereby said latch may be retracted against the tension of spring 4I from the annular groove 38. When the latch 38 is thus retracted the tubular stem 2|, urged by spring 24, is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6, that is, a position whereby the latch bolt may be retracted from the keeper 35 by rotating the handle I6.

When the handle I6 and tubular stem 2I are in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, or in full lines in Fig. 6, the same may be retracted by pulling the knob 25, It can readily be seen that when the knob 25 is pulled outwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the flange 21 compresses spring 26 against web 23 and thereby exerts a pulling force upon the tubular stem 2|. The pulling action is continued until the end of latch 38 engages in the annular groove 38' at which time the spring 4I causes latch 38 to move into said groove and thereby retain the tubular stem in contracted position. The knob 25 may then be released and under the action of spring 26 the bar 22 will be pulled inwardly and knob 25 will thereby return to its normal position.

As shown best in Fig. 3, a portion of the handle 4 passes over the housing II. When the latch bolt 3 is in normal position within keeper 35, an intermediate portion of the handle 4 is in a substantially contacting position with the lug 32. By rotating handle 4 about the pivot point 8, said handle acts upon lug 32 thereby moving plate 28 so as to retract the end of the latch bolt vfrom the keeper 35. As the movement of handle 4 continues, said handle contacts lug 54 carried by latch 38, which lug extends through aperture 55 provided in the face of housing II. When the handle 4 contacts lug 54 it moves the latch 38 away from the tubular stem 2| thereby releasing the tubular stem and permitting said stem and handle I6 to spring to projected position. A lug 56, also carried by latch 38, projects through an aperture 51 provided in the face of housing II. When my improved handle is used upon doors which open in the opposite direction, the handle will contact lug 58 to move the latch 38 instead of lug 54.

If desired, the inner door handle 4 may be entirely eliminated together with lugs 32, 54 and 56. In this case the latch bolt may be retracted by turning the knob 25. f course, knob 25 cannot be turned while the outer handle I6 is in the depression I; therefore,.to use knob 25 to retract the latch bolt, the latch 38 must first betripped by manipulating the lever 46 which causes the tubular stem to spring outwardly. In this position the latch bolt may be retracted by rotating knob 25.

Of course, spring 26 merely returns knob 25 to its normal position after it has been employed to retract handle I6, and hence need not be of appreciable strength. At least, the strength of spring 24 exceeds that of spring 28 in order that spring 26 will not act to retract the outer handle.

It will readily be seen that my invention comprises a door lock wherein the latch bolt may be retracted from either the inner side of the door by means of handle 4 or from the outer face of the door, by means of handle I6. In addition, the door may be effectively locked from the outside by pushing handle I6 into the groove I5 until latch '38 engages the annular groove 38'. The handle and tubular stem may also be retracted from the inner side of the door by pulling the knob 25 until the latch 38 engages the annular groove 38'. By rotating the lever 46 through an angle of 180, the latch 38 may be rendered entirely inoperative at which' time it will be impossible to maintain the handle and tubular stem in contracted position.

I claim as my invention:

l. A door lock comprising vin combination a frame, a latch bolt slidably positioned in said frame, an inner and outer handle for actuating said latch bolt, said outer handle having a rotatable spindle and a tubular stem contractible llengthwise of the spindle, a trigger latch for holding the tubular stem 1n contracted position, said trigger latch comprising a bar slidably mounted in said frame parallel to, and adjacent said latch bolt, means upon said latch .bolt for contacting said inner handle whereby said latch bolt is moved by said inner handle when said handle is turned,

means upon said trigger latch bar for contacting.

said inner handle whereby said bar is moved by said inner handle substantially simultaneously with the movement ofv the latch bolt .for permitting the return of the tubular stem to dispose the outer handle in operative position, and means upon said spindle for engaging said tubular stem when said stem is in extended position, whereby said stem may be moved to contracted position by said spindle.

2. A door lock comprising in combination a frame, a latch bolt slidably positioned in said frame, an inner and outer handle for actuating said latch bolt, said outer handle having a rotatable spindle and a tubular stem contractible lengthwise of the spindle, a trigger latch for holding the tubular stem in contracted position, said trigger latch comprising a bar slidably mounted in said frame parallel to, and adjacent said latch bolt, means upon said latch bolt for contacting said inner handle whereby said latch bolt is moved by said inner handle when said handle is turned,`means upon said trigger latch bar for contacting said inner handle whereby said bar is moved by said inner handle substan tially simultaneously with the movement ofthe latch bolt for permitting the return of the tubular stem to dispose the outer handle in operative position, means upon said spindle for engaging said tubular stem when said stem is in extended position, whereby said stem may be moved to contracted position by said spindle, and means carried by said frame for retaining said trigger latch bar in inoperative position.

3. A door lock comprising in combination a frame, a latch bolt slidably positioned in said frame, an inner and outer handle for actuating I. said latch bolt, said outer handle having a rotatable spindle and a tubular stem contractible lengthwise of the spindle, a trigger latch for holding the tubular stem in contracted position, said trigger latch comprising a bar slidably mounted in said frame parallel to, and adjacent said latch bolt, means upon said latch bolt for contacting said inner handle whereby said latch bolt is moved by said inner handle when said handle is turned, means upon said trigger latchbar for contacting said inner handle whereby said bar is moved by said inner handle substantially simultaneously with the movement of the latch bolt for permitting the return -of the tubular stern to dispose the outer -handle in operative position, means upon said spindle for engaging said tubular stem when said stem is in extended position, whereby said stern may be moved to contracted position by said spindle, and an eccentric carried by said frame adapted to contact said trigger latch bar to retain the latter in inoperative position.

4. A door lock comprising in combination a frame, a latch bolt slidably positioned in said frame, an inner and outer handle for actuating said latch bolt, said outer handle having a rotatfable spindle and a tubular stem contractible lengthwise of the spindle, a trigger latch for holding the tubular stem in contracted position, said trigger latch comprising a bar slidably mounted in said frame parallel to, and adjacent said latch bolt, said inner handle being journalled in said frame and swingable adjacent said latch bolt and trigger latch bar, means carried upon said latch bolt and trigger latch bar disposed in the path of movement of said inner handle whereby said inner handle moves said latch bolt and trigger latch bar when said inner handle is turned to retract said latch bolt andtrigger latch to permitV the return of the tubular stem to .extended position;

-FRED C. SCHOCH. 

